The Joseph Benjamin, Chester - A Christmas cracker

Dec 29 2006 By Jo Henwood

The Joseph Benjamin

Anyway, we were starving and ready to tackle the full monty.
 
For shellfish lovers, there were potted shrimps flavoured with lemon horseradish and paprika (£5.20) and for carnivores a warm salad of Bury black pudding and San Daniele ham on toasted mushroom and onion focaccia (£4.85).
 
I have a bit of a goats' cheese fetish so was pleased to see an interesting dish of the aforementioned with honey and black pepper, beet-root and walnut salad and chutney and ordered that.
 
It was delicious. The goats' cheese was suitably melted with just enough bite in the centre and the portion size was just right for a starter. I could taste every item listed on the menu, each of which complemented the others beau-tifully.
 
Mum went for the home-made leek and potato soup which is a favourite for both of us. It was served with two huge pieces of a locally baked bread but we had to ask for butter as it wasn't included.
 
I have to stick rigidly to a gluten free diet, so eating out can often be a challenge. It was pleasing to discover that besides the obvious like bread, pastry and cakes, nothing was thickened with flour. Even the home-made sausages were gluten free - a joy for the likes of me.
 
I couldn't decide between the grilled sea bass (£13.95) or the hot pot but a brief look outside at the lashing rain convinced me it had to be the lamb hot pot with braised red cabbage (£10.50).
 
There was roast turkey on the menu with the full works but Mum and I have a pact not to eat any poultry for the seven days before the Big Day.
 
For vegetarians there was an interesting home-made gnocchi with butternut squash, wilted spinach and pesto (£10.50) but after much deliberation Mum decided on the home-made chicken and wild mushroom sausage with sauté potatoes and roasted vegetables (£11.85). Despite a hint of tarragon, her least favourite herb, she declared the dish was delicious and polished off every mouthful.